This course helps those new to streaming media get familiar with the relevant terms, concepts, and technologies. The session begins with a definition of terms like codecs, container formats, and adaptive bitrate streaming, as well as encoding concepts like bitrate control (VBR, CBR) and frame types (I, B, and P). Then it details the key H.264 encoding parameters that impact quality and compatibility. Next up is adaptive streaming, including a review of available ABR technologies like HLS and DASH, how to formulate an encoding ladder, and how to use multiple DRMs to protect premium content. Then we'll review the technical requirements for ABR delivery to computers, smartphones and tablets, OTT devices, and smart TVs, and finish with a quick look at advanced codecs like HEVC, VP9, AV1, and VVC. You walk away knowing the technical requirements for delivering to all key platforms and an understanding of how to do so.

This workshop teaches you how to use and configure the essential (and purposely redundant) components of a live streaming event system. Demonstrations feature hardware from various vendors, including cameras, H.264 encoders/streamers, video switchers, video signal conversion, recorders, and more. You also learn how to best deploy the live stream to your audience based on business requirements: Do you utilize free social media outlets, work with a premium third-party streaming service, or build your own live streaming infrastructure? Learn how to approach different live scenarios with the right gear to fit the budget you have. And perhaps more importantly, learn how to properly formulate a budget to avoid any common pitfalls in the process.

The concept of a single set of files deliverable to all relevant endpoints has been the Holy Grail since the dawn of ABR streaming. By mid- 2019, the Common Media Application Format (CMAF) will enable such a solution, slashing encoding, storage, and bandwidth costs for companies who deploy it. In this workshop, you learn how to create CMAF packaged assets for HLS and or DASH and get a greater understanding of the benefits CMAF has to offer. We start at the industry baseline of H.264-based CMAF content, then offer insight and direction on how to handle more complex and emerging solutions. We briefly cover how to extend what you learned to alternate codecs starting with VP9, then to 4K encoding, packaging, and delivery with HEVC or AV1. We also touch on some of the considerations and challenges with HDR encoding and delivery. Last but not least, we cover the details and “how-to” knowledge to protect your CMAF content with DRM, including what you need to know about CENC, CBCS, CTR, and working toward truly fulfilling the vision for unified common encryption DRM on the horizon.

This session helps encoding professionals get up-to-speed on crucial encoding-related issues, technologies, and techniques. Topics include:

Encoding workflows for nearly every video ecosystem can utilize powerful and free open source options, such as FFmpeg, which appeal to startups and established businesses for the flexibility in customization that it offers. This presentation explores extended encoding options for FFmpeg including libx264 (AVC/H.264) and libx265 (HEVC/H.265) to maximize compatibility with a wide range of mobile and desktop browsers, as well as streaming media servers. Learn how to use filter effects, proportional crop/resize options, and mapping functions. Harness the power of FFmpeg in your next encoding pipeline upgrade!

Machine learning as a service (MLaaS) is a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) and has come a long way over the last couple years. Now is the time to really make these services work for you and increase the ROI on your media. Whether you want to enhance your video searchability and discoverability, automate the process of generating transcripts and translations, or even look for specific faces or people within your live surveillance streams in an efficient manner, the key to harnessing this power is to learn to determine your needs and code against the numerous available MLaaS APIs to make them work for you. This workshop reviews the 2019 MLaaS landscape, explores the use cases that drive their innovation, and discuss various resources and open source code at your disposal. Attendees walk away with an understanding of how to harness the power of AI machine learning to increase the ROI of their video libraries and build compelling and innovative intelligence from their libraries of dark media data.